I spotted this incredibly awesome and stylish lady scarecrow on my way to a meeting in Capitol Hill yesterday. Sparkly, ruffled skirt. Cropped jacket. Color coordinated. Cute hat. YES! I see people walking around DC all the time with less wardrobe coordination than this.

   
One of the more interesting protests I’ve witnessed took place this weekend.  This being the 4th Annual World Naked Bike Ride.  The WNBR is a protest against our dependence on foreign oil and a rally for improved cycling conditions in America’s cities.  The DC WNBR started at Franklin Square in downtown DC, rode to the US Capitol, and finished out in front of the White House.  All the participants said it was a lot more fun to moon Bush but they would make due with the new Administration.  Upon arriving at Lafayette Square I am sure they ruined the days of the many tourists who were peering through fence trying to catch a  glimpse of the President.   Despite the name the riders were not technically naked, as that would be lewd and illegal, instead they wore an assortment of underwear, loin clothes, socks, and body paint.  I hope their ride was a success.  While I find their cause quite valid I’m not so sure about the execution.  Regardless, it made for a VERY VERY funny (…and kind of awkward) event to photog.
   
HERE is a link to my other photos from the start of the protest.
   

Back when I was in high school and entrenched in the Delaware skateboarding scene I ran a little clothing company called DEfctv Ink. (Defective Incorporated).  It was a lovely little affair that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I made all the screens either by hand or through photo-emullsion and did all the screen printing by hand at my kitchen table.  Through the couple years that I was doing it I probably made two hundred or so shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, etc.  Most were sold direct to folks I knew or I would broker out the sales to friends from different high schools/neighborhoods (sell 10 shirts and I’ll give you one for free) and I got a few of them in up for sale in Switch, our local skate shop in Newark. I hope some of them are still around (outside of my closet anyway).
   
When I was home this past weekend I picked up the old box of screen printing materials and took it back to DC with me.  I’m looking to start this back up and do a few limited run t-shirt designs just to get the ol’ creative juices flowing.  My new venture will be called “Agon Inkorporated”.  Agon is the Greek word meaning a contest, competition, or challenge and can relate to athletics, music, politics, debate, or literature. It embodies the spirit of competition.
   
Here are my 10 current iterations of design that I have been working on for the last week or so.  I have a bunch of more ideas and will continue to work these out.  I would appreciate any insight, suggestions, or criticism that you, the loyal juxtaexposed.com readership, might have to offer. This is my scientific market study about what works and what needs some help.
   
Thanks,
   
Matt

Inauguration Day is 8 days away — these street vendors are going to be busy in a week!

   
Every year, a few days before Halloween, there is an enormous Parade and High Heel Drag Race up 17th Street near Dupont Circle. As a now 3-time veteran of this event, I must say that every year the costumes get better, the street gets more crowded, and the race gets even funnier. Unfortunately, Matt’s camera ran out of juice just as we arrived last night, so this camera-phone picture is terrible and does not do the Coco Chanel costume any sort of justice. Definitely check out Flickr for some decent but indecent pictures taken by others last night.